Two seats, engine in the rear, tridion cell: that was the concept for which the Smart brand stood. Even with the second and larger edition of the Smart Fortwo, Smart still largely stuck to this recipe – even if the version was last available as an electric car.
With the new version of the “Smart #1”, everything is now being turned upside down: With a purely electric car, four doors, Geely technology and design from Sindelfingen. As a car, this is quite impressive – but shows little of the appeal of the Smart brand.
The cooperation between Daimler and Geely is entirely logical: the Chinese carmaker has long been interested in western markets, first bought Volvo a few years ago and is one of Daimler’s largest shareholders with a fifth. Accordingly, the new model generation of the Smart will also be developed by Geely and produced in China.
Smart #1: The technical data and services at a glance
The extremely pleasing crossover is powered by an electric motor on the rear axle, which delivers 200 kW / 272 hp and a maximum torque of 343 Nm. The top speed is capped at 180 km/h and the 66 kWh battery in the underbody allows the Chinese to drive up to 440 kilometers with one electric charge. The maximum charging speed is 150 kW, which boosts the battery pack to up to 80 percent in half an hour.
- Engine power: 272 hp
- Battery size: 66 kWh
- Charging speed: 150 kW
- Range: 440 kilometers
- Wheelbase: 2.75 meters
Inside, there is plenty of room for four people thanks to the 2.75 meter long wheelbase and a rear seat that can be moved by 13 centimeters. The cargo space has a capacity of 273 to 411 liters, with a small compartment under the front hood with a further 15 liters for charging cables and small items. The sober cockpit is dominated by two digital screens. Behind the wheel, the driver looks at a flat ten-inch display and in the center of the dashboard there is a 12.8-inch portrait display that can be used to operate all of the vehicle’s functions by touch or voice. The new Smart generation offers its occupants an avatar as a companion with AI-based voice control implemented in the 3D user interface.
The 4.27 meter long #1 is just the debut of a whole family, which is of course purely electrically powered. “The world premiere of the Smart #1 in Berlin is a milestone in the incredible development phase we have found ourselves in since the brand refresh. As the first of a new generation of all-electric smart SUVs, the all-new Smart #1 is the perfect embodiment of this innovation,” said Tong Xiangbei, CEO of Smart Automobile. The market launch should be in the fourth quarter of 2022 – probably at prices of around 40,000 euros.